Volleyball BooYah!

We stayed after the Pinewood Derby to play a little Volleyball. Not very many were there tonight but man we have a good time together! Even Travis got brave and played tonight. The main jokes from today were thanks to Chad. 1st- Everyone would scream- "From the back row!" when they went for a hard hit. AND it didn't matter if you were in the front row or not. LOL 2nd- there was a lot of chest bumping going on as well. I think Travis was a little scared, ;) "BooYah! Baby"

The kids played so good together. They were creative and all got along. We ended up letting some of  the boys play the last game. They loved it! Then the kids pushed each other around in boxes while we cleaned up. Good kids!

Justice's Final Pinewood Derby

Tonight was Justice's final Pinewood Derby as a Cub Scout. It was a little less "high-tech" than we are used to but we had a good time! We can't reach any tools right now so Justice chose to race a car from last year. In fact, we just brought along all our old cars just in case anyone else didn't have one. Glory ended up letting her friend race her Dora train.
When we got here, Brett and Justice graphited the wheels and checked in his Eagle. It's an awesome looking car!!

Once everyone was there and the rules were gone over- the races began. Brother Jensen is in a different ward but graciously set up his track for us. Way nice of him but it stunk a little because some lanes were faster than others. They drew which lane you raced in. Basically it was just pure luck. Justice ended up winning 2nd Place. Awesome! Perhaps if he hadn't been in the slow lane- he may have taken first. But he tried to be a good sport and was way excited to get a trophy.

They had an Open Race Bracket for anyone of the siblings or Dads that wanted to race. Glory's watermelon car ended up winning 3rd Place. She was so surprised to get a trophy. It was cute! Everyone got a Participant ribbon as well.

For Scout awards, Justice received his Scholar and Handyman pins. He also presented his poster for the Leave No Trace Award. He should finish up some more stuff by next month and get his Arrow of Light. Pretty cool!

Justice is Student of the Month

Justice was nominate for Student of the Month in February. They had their assembly today! His teacher always has way nice things to say about him. Proud of you, Buddy!

P.S. We thought this was funny.-- Not sure if it was a bit of Spring Fever or what but, Justice had tons of missing assignments this month. Enough that he was getting an F in three of his subjects. What??? That's not like him. He got grounded from electronics until he got caught up. He worked hard and turned everything in by the next week. It was a good learning experience on keeping up on things. The amusing thing was that he also brought home the note for Student of the Month that same week. Nothing like a Student of the Month with three Fs. LOL

1st Helena Blog Book

My 1st Montana blog book got here today. I'm so excited!!! I can't believe we have been here long enough to make one. (I make one twice a year) Fun memories!

P.S. The other Shay just made one too. I'm so proud of her! Way to go, Lady! 

I also had the opportunity this week to show my new friend Becky N. (we met at the Valentine Dance) how I organize, blog and print my memories. Then we did lunch! I love making new friends!

Band Festival 2014

Liberty was throwing up all day yesterday. Luckily she was done half way through the day and pretty much slept until late this morning. It made it so she had just enough energy to participate in her Band Festival at the Civic Center this afternoon. The rest of the Band had taken the buses there this morning but I dropped her off after lunch. Mr. Pipinich was very helpful and understanding. He let her take some snacks, keep her phone handy and got her a chair to sit on during breaks. She was pretty tired after but she was really glad she got to participate. (and not have to make it up later. LOL)

There were three 7th Grade Bands from the area that played together today. They got to experience "real life" conductors. Which made Liberty appreciate Mr. Pipinich- his love for them, his enthusiasm and his positive attitude. They did a fantastic job!!! They blow me away that they are only in 7th grade. Way to go, Sis!

Liberty LOVES the band. Partly because she loves music and a LOT because she gets to hang out with Ann. Oh, the power of good friends!

Tramp Boobs

Before you get all concerned about the title-- let me explain! LOL

My kids are so creative sometimes. They crack me up! When we finally get into our home on Faith Lane, we would like a Trampoline again. [We left ours in Fargo] However, the cost of everything is adding up and when it really comes down to it- a tramp is a WANT not a NEED. So we have decided to get creative. Whenever we save on something that we didn't plan on- we put the extra in our Tramp Fund. Plus we have been putting a tiny bit away from every paycheck as well.
Well today the kids were goofing around with their shirts and twisting them in knots in the front. [My friends and I did that all the time in Elementary School.- oh the memories!] Glory thought Justice looked funny so she dared him to run around outside like that. He said he would if she would put 50 cents in our Tramp Fund. She agreed. When he got back in, he dared her to do it as well. After telling him that I thought it might not be modest for the girls- he came up with the idea that Glory should wear a pair of my boobs and do it. Then he would donate 50 cents. Well, Victoria wanted in the action, too! So they all adorned themselves with a set of Mom's Boobs and off they went to run around the yard for a good cause. Silly kiddos!

Youth Temple Trip

Brett and Liberty went on the Youth Temple Trip today. It's always a very long day but worth it!

Silly girls on the road trip

Princess Party

Glory has been so excited all week to go to Gracie's Princess Birthday Party. She had a great time!

Women Skiers

Liberty's grade had their Ski Trip to the Great Divide today. Somehow she talked me into joining her. ;) Neither of us have skied before so we were a bit freaked out!!! But we decided to brave it and add it to our list of accomplishments.
After waiting for the buses to arrive and everyone to get their equipment, we started out with instructions on the Bunny Hill or as the Great divide calls it- the "Backyard". We first learned about our skis, how to put them on and take them off. Then we put one on at a time and learned to glide across the hill. Next we put them both on and learned the "pizza". That's how you stop. Very important!!! ;) Then they taught us how to use the tow rope. We first only went up half the hill and skied to the bottom. But eventually, we were going all the way to the top and skiing through cones. It was pretty awesome!! We rocked the Backyard!!

Unfortunately, the Mountain Meadow Ski Lift was closed today. [That's the simplest ski trail and shorter ski lift] So, they told us we couldn't go up. BUT we had paid for a ski lift so we were a little irritated!
After lunch though, they decided they would take us up on the bigger Ski Lift. Are they crazy??? They said they would go with us up and all the way down the trail. They said that once we made it down one section, we would hook back up with the Meadow Meadow run.
OK- here we go!!
We don't care for the heights associated with the lift but we did a pretty good job getting on and off of it. Go us!

Regrettably, we barely survived the Good Luck run. [That's the Ski path we took] When we got up there the wind was blowing really bad and it started to snow. We could hardly see anything. Then we started down the hill. It was not good! Seriously... we did acrobats and tumbles ALL the way down on almost every turn we made!!! It was PAINFUL!!! We were lucky to make it down alive. Needless to say, we decided to head back to Bunny Hill.

Luckily, after awhile, we ran into a friend of Liberty's- Megan. Somehow Liberty got a dose of bravery and asked if she could go back up with her. I thought she was crazy but I let her go with instructions to Megan to not leave Liberty on the mountain. After a while, the girls came down with ALL smiles! Megan taught Liberty some tricks and she made it all the way down with not one spill. She said the weather was much better this time as well.
WHAT????
I decided to brave it one more time. [mostly so I wasn't shown up by my 12 year old daughter. LOL] I tumbled 4 times on the Good Luck run. Ouch! Very painful- by the way! But then I used Liberty's tricks and I made it the rest of the way down upright. It was very slowly but at least not face planted in the snow every 30 seconds. Wahoo!
I was done for the day- my old body had taken enough beating for one day- but Liberty ended going again several times. She loved it! I was way proud of her. Way to go, Sis!

It was a very fun, rewarding day- full of friends, snow, bravery and time together as Mother/Daughter! So great!

P.S. We stayed later than the buses so Liberty could go a couple more times. On the ride home, my left leg stiffened up. By the time we got back to Helena, I could barely walk. I think I over-exerted it. It took me a whole day before I didn't want to cry when I moved it. And Liberty's body is all achy and she pretty much looks like a raccoon from the sunburn on her face. LOL
Oh well- pains that will soon fade. But won't take away from the fun memories we made! ;)

Another Reader

Our family has been joined by an additional reader.
Glory is getting pretty good at it these days. Crazy- my baby is all grown up!!!

Science Class: Bending Water

Brett and Justice did a Science experiment today. They used static electricity from a comb and their hair to bend water. Pretty neat!

Great to be Eight!

We did lots of fun things for Victoria's eighth birthday.
She picked out tulips instead of a balloon this year. It's been fun to watch them grow. They named them all as well. ;) For gifts she got books and art supplies and a necklace. Thanks to others that sent things. She was so happy!

For fun, we did art projects, built snow forts in the Faith Lane hole, made chocolate play dough and played Capture- some of her favorite things!!!

She picked out all the food she ate for her special day. She was very excited!

When I was Seven...

When Victoria was SEVEN...
* LOVED candy!!!
* Her favorite color was Pink
* Did swimming Lessons
* Learned to mow the Lawn
* Made lots of money with a Lemonade Stand
* loved to dance with Taelyn
* Lost a LOT of teeth
* Made "Squashy" babies with Glory
* Loved Jet Skiing at the Cook Cabin with Dad and Maggie
* Moved to Montana
* Mastered the monkey bars
* Loved to be goofy with Justice
* was the Student of the Month
* Joined Choir- lots of performances
* was always styling people's hair during scripture study
* learned to Finger Knit
* Enjoyed ice skating
* was a Great Reader
* Swam in the Hot Springs
* Loved visiting Halle in UT
* was quite the Artist
* Liked to be Silly

Snow Jump & Pool Partay

Today, we took advantage of all the never-ending snow we are getting!
This morning, the kids decided to go jump into the snow on our back patio. Silly kids!

Then the Family went out to Faith Lane for a Pool ParTay this afternoon. (They all jumped into the hole of our new home since we can't do anything else there right now) We had a blast! Brrrrr!

Brett diving in

The kids jumping in up to their armpits

Ninjas

It turned out that all the younger kids by chance ended up wearing matching black outfits this morning. We call them our little Ninjas.

Sun Dog & Nose Hairs

Taking the kids to school today in the -9 degree plus some wind, freezing-my-nose-hairs weather,  I got to experience our first Helena Sun Dog. It only lasted a couple of minutes but it's so beautiful!

I managed to take a quick pic with my phone. It's not the best photo but it was gone before I got home to get my real camera.